Database

As psychedelic treatments move towards FDA approval, what will access and affordability look like? We break down the cost-effectiveness data and challenges ahead in ensuring equitable access.

Elliot Marseille is a health economist specializing in psychedelics and HIV/AIDS, focusing on cost-effectiveness in global health challenges.

BMeds Psychedelic Therapy Training is a two year, bilingual course blending modern research & ancestral wisdom for mental health professionals

This pilot randomized clinical trial (n=30) assessed the efficacy of a single subanesthetic dose of esketamine (14mg/70kg) in enhancing the effect of oral antidepressants for patients with fluctuating responses to treatment in major depressive disorder (MDD). Participants were adults with MDD experiencing fluctuating symptoms despite prior symptom relief and stabilization. The study found that response rates at 2 weeks were significantly higher in the esketamine group (66.7%) compared to the midazolam control group (6.7%), with a more substantial reduction in depression severity (MADRS score) in the esketamine group.

This retrospective online survey (n=160) investigates the impact of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on alcohol use (AUD) and related measures. The results indicate a significant reduction in the mean number of drinking days per week and AUDIT scores after the psychedelic experience. Subjects who quit or reduced drinking had a more severe AUD and lower psychological flexibility before the psychedelic session. The study suggests that positive health outcomes, including reduced alcohol use and dependency, may be associated with the intensity of the mystical experience and an increase in psychological flexibility.

This open-label within-subject study (n=10) compared the oral administration of a capsule (containing DMT and harmine) with combined intranasal administration of an oromucosal harmine tablet and an intranasal DMT spray at two doses. The research aimed to improve the pharmacokinetics and tolerability profiles of ayahuasca-analogue formulations. Results indicate that the combined buccal/intranasal administration substantially attenuated common side effects and yielded significantly improved pharmacokinetic profiles. This suggests it may be an innovative approach for the safe and patient-oriented administration of DMT/harmine for treating affective disorders.

This systematic review of 52 studies (n=7102) investigates drug-drug interactions between classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and ayahuasca) and various drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, and recreational drugs. The findings reveal diverse interactions, ranging from attenuated to potentiated effects, with a few cases reporting no changes. Despite a lack of serious adverse events in most studies, the review emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of potential interactions and explores molecular pathways underlying observed effects.

This cross-sectional survey (n=517) assessed the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) concerning existential well-being (EWB) and religious well-being (RWB). The study found that the RWB factor exhibited superior psychometric indices for validity, group discrimination, and reliability, showing a U-shaped pattern in the association between psychedelics and spiritual well-being, where non-users and frequent users had higher RWB and EWB indices than occasional users.

This cross-sectional survey (n=841) of Norwegian adults who had memorable experiences with classic psychedelic substances reveals that the primary intentions for use were recreational (46.1%) or therapeutic (42.3%). Most participants reported psilocybin as their most memorable experience, and despite the prevalence of self-perceived symptoms of mental and substance use disorders, the psychedelic experience generally led to improvements. Adverse reactions, mostly mild and short-lived, affected 4.2% for a year or more, and persisting flashbacks were reported by 2.9% of participants.

This review (2023) examines ibogaine as a potential treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). The lack of randomized, controlled studies on its safety and efficacy and the elusive mechanisms of action have been barriers to clinical use. The review suggests that ibogaine and its metabolite, noribogaine (NOR), modulate multiple targets associated with SUDs, emphasizing a complex, multi-target approach to understanding its pharmacology.